Distinguished Minister, Members of the European Parliament and the National Assembly,
Excellencies, Representatives of ports, international organizations, academia and business, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I.
It is a great pleasure and an honour to welcome you today to EMUNI University and to the international conference Geopolitics of Transport.
Welcome to Koper.
A city that has connected the Mediterranean with Central Europe for centuries.
A place where trade routes, cultures and ideas have met and interacted throughout history.
It is therefore only natural that we gather here to discuss the geopolitics of transport.
II.
Today’s conference addresses issues that are becoming increasingly important not only for Europe, but for the world as a whole.
The key question before us is simple:
Will the Mediterranean remain a central hub of global connectivity?
or
Will ongoing disruptions reshape trade routes in ways that weaken its strategic importance?
Transport is no longer merely a matter of infrastructure and logistics.
It has become a matter of economic resilience, security and geopolitical influence.
III.
The Mediterranean remains one of the world’s most important transport and trade corridors.
It connects Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Disruptions in global supply chains, conflicts in different parts of the world, and growing instability in the wider Mediterranean region have demonstrated how closely security, trade and development are interconnected.
They have also shown how quickly disruptions in one region can affect economies and societies across the globe.
This is why stability in the Mediterranean is not simply a regional concern.
It is a global concern.
A significant share of global trade passes through its maritime routes. Energy flows, supply chains and increasingly important data connections depend on its stability and openness.
When we discuss the future of the Mediterranean, we are also discussing the future of global connectivity.
Today, the Mediterranean is a central geopolitical space, where questions of connectivity, security and economic development increasingly intersect.
IV.
Today, Europe faces a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
Transport corridors, ports and logistics hubs are becoming strategic assets.
They influence competitiveness, resilience and international positioning. Our challenge is therefore clear:
We must preserve openness, cooperation and free trade.
We must strengthen the resilience of our supply chains and ensure the security of critical transport routes.
V.
Transport policy can no longer be viewed solely through an economic lens.
It is also a matter of foreign policy, security, strategic autonomy and international cooperation.
The future of European connectivity will depend on our ability to build partnerships, to invest in modern infrastructure and to contribute to a stable and secure Mediterranean region.
In this effort, diplomacy remains indispensable.
Only through dialogue, cooperation and mutual trust can we ensure reliable and predictable transport routes.
And reliable connectivity remains a foundation of economic growth, stability and prosperity.
Respect for international law, sovereignty and freedom of navigation remains essential for global stability.
Attempts to advance interests through force or by undermining international rules ultimately threaten the security and prosperity of us all.
VI.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this context, the mission of EMUNI University becomes even more relevant.
EMUNI was established with a clear vision: to connect the countries and peoples of the Euro-Mediterranean region through education, research, intercultural dialogue and the promotion of a culture of peace and shared prosperity.
Our mission is to build bridges between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean.
We firmly believe that long-term stability can not be built through infrastructure and investment alone.
It must also be built through knowledge, understanding and opportunities for future generations.
This is why I am particularly pleased to announce the further expansion of EMUNI’ s academic offer.
This year, we are launching a new Master’ s programme in Geopolitics and Geoeconomics of the Mediterranean.
Next year, this will be followed by new Master s programmes in Port Management and the Blue Economy.
These fields will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our region.
We need a new generation of professionals capable of understanding the complex interactions between geopolitics, transport, trade, energy, sustainability and international relations.
EMUNI aspires to become a platform where such knowledge is created, shared and transformed into practical solutions.
VII.
We also see our work as a contribution to broader European priorities:
-to the implementation of the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood Policy.
-to strengthening Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
-to the new vision of regional partnership embodied in the Pact for the Mediterranean.
Universities have an important role to play in this process.
They connect people, institutions and ideas.
They create trust.
And they prepare future leaders to address common challenges through cooperation rather than confrontation.
VIII.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Slovenia may be a small country in size.
Yet, it serves as an important bridge between Central Europe and the Mediterranean.
Thanks to its geographical position, its maritime tradition, the Port of Koper and its active role within the EU.
Smaller states can make meaningful contributions through dialogue, regional expertise, coalition-building and support for cooperative solutions.
The same applies to international network of universities such as EMUNI.
Our strength lies in connecting people.
Connecting knowledge.
And thus connecting coasts of Mediterranean.
I am therefore delighted that today’s conference brings together policymakers, diplomats, port authorities, business leaders, international organizations and academic experts.
The challenges we face are complex. But they are also shared.
And shared challenges require shared solutions.
I hope that today’s discussions will contribute not only to a better understanding of the changing geopolitical landscape,
but also to stronger partnerships and new ideas for the future of Mediterranean and European connectivity.
Above all, I hope they will reaffirm our common belief that dialogue, cooperation and knowledge remain the most reliable foundations of a secure, stable and prosperous Mediterranean.
The future of the Mediterranean will not be shaped by geography alone, but by the choices we make together.
Thank you very much.